8mm Forum: picture sharpness

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Posted by Chris Quinn (Member # 129) on December 09, 2003, 05:29 PM:

Hi every one.
Can anyone tell me what to do to get the best picture sharpness, I have an Elmo st-1200HD with an f1.3 lens, but I am not altogether happy with the picture sharpness, I just can't seem to get it right.
is there anyone who could tell me what the best lens is to get, I hear a lot about the superior light output from the f1.1 and f1.0 but will they give me the crystal sharpness I am after.
Chris.

Thanks Mal,
I ran a modern Derann print and got reasonably good focus and definition, [Razz]

I then ran a 25 year old Walton print a couldn’t get the same result. [Frown]

I think this proves your point Mal.
Well still might go for the f1.0 when the bank manager lets me, “Her indoors that is”
Thanks to Alan and Tony and anyone else who replies to this post, what a great site. [Big Grin]

[ December 10, 2003, 03:29 AM: Message edited by: Chris Quinn ]

Posted by Mal Brake (Member # 14) on December 09, 2003, 05:48 PM:

Hi Chris
The f/1.1 or 1.0 will increase your light output and those lenses give a sharper across the frame image. Print sharpness will vary depending on the original master material and prints from the 1970's/80's will not look as good as the best of modern prints. A better quality lens will help, but if the definition isn't there in the first place, you should see an improvement but don't expect 'crystal clear' images. Good hunting, Mal

Posted by Alan Rik (Member # 73) on December 09, 2003, 07:27 PM:

I dont know about the Elmo ST1200 series. I use to own one but I could never get the focus sharp from side to side. I am pretty sure that there was an adjustment that could have been made but I just ended up selling it!
The sharpest print I have seen was with my Elmo GS1200 Xenon with a 1.0 lens and the optical print of "Spaceball". It was sharp from corner to corner and it never waivered. One of the worst prints? The 400 ft cut down of "Enter the Dragon". I kept trying to focus it and then finally realized it wasn't the machine!

Posted by Tony Milman (Member # 7) on December 10, 2003, 02:15 AM:

Chris,

I have 2 ST1200's and use 2 lenses, an elmo 1.0, a schneider 1.1. I also have the original 1.3 lenses. I will take a look at the 1.3's but as far as I can recall the picture was not bad at all from the 1.3 but as has been said the source material does make it.
The 1.0 I have heard said is hard to focus but I have not had much difficulty myself but then again I am very shortsighted. The schneider has the best contrast I find for black and white films and I find myself using it all the time.

Tony

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on December 10, 2003, 10:17 AM:

Chris,
I have found that the difference between the f1.0 lens and the f1.3 lens is like day and night. The f1.0 gives a much whiter picture with razor sharp images. The correction and field flatness of the f1.0 lens is vastly better than the f1.3, plus I believe the f1.0 lens uses glass components whereas the f1.3 uses plastic optical elements. You can certainly feel it in the weight of the lens, the f1.0 is so much heavier than the f1.3. The f1.0 lens is so superior that you will never go back to the 1.3 lens again.

Posted by Kevin Faulkner (Member # 6) on December 10, 2003, 05:09 PM:

To Alan and anyone else interested there is a screw at the bottom of the lens holder where it closes shut. In fact it acts as the lens stop position. This screw adjusts the side to side sharpness which becomes even more critical with the f1.1 and more so with the 1.0 lens due to the lower depth of focus. You are best to use fairly new non striped film to do this adjustment as variations in stripe thicknes etc will have an effect on this adjustment. A nice grainy film is what is required here and then check for the "Boiling Effect" from side to side. Adjust this screw for best overall focus. This adjustment is on ALL Elmo machines.
Hope that helps, Kev. [Smile]

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